Whiplash is a common injury, affecting about 2 million individuals in the United States annually. Ordinarily a consequence of an automobile accident, whiplash may also result from falling, participating in sports, or from other causes, including being shaken or hit.
Whiplash is the common term for a neck sprain or strain resulting from hyperextension (see picture below) and hyperflexion (see image below). It often doesn’t cause symptoms that are immediate: in fact, it could grow over time. Since whiplash may cause long lasting effects on the spinal column, it is essential to determine your doctor for those who have been injured, even in the event you don�t have pain immediately later.
The cervical spine (neck) is a complex structure composed of vertebrae (spinal bones), intervertebral discs (act as shock absorbers), muscles, ligaments, and nerves. The neck is is flexible and may transfer it different ways (nod, rotate) while supporting the entire weight of the head. However, that flexibility can make the neck exposed to injury. Within a whiplash event, your neck goes quickly and powerfully forward and backward. Pain can continue even following the injury itself has recovered.
Whiplash can lead to possibly high medical expenses, reduced productivity, and temporary impairment.
Symptoms of Whiplash
The primary complaint of a person who has whiplash is neck and upper back pain. Other symptoms may include:
Tenderness
Stiffness
Pain in the arm and shoulder that may radiate down into the hand(s).
Paresthesias (like numbness or tingling) and weakness that will extend into the hand(s).
Headache
You might even experience dizziness, nausea, ringing in the ears, fatigue, jaw pain, or blurred vision.
Causes of Whiplash
The most common reason for whiplash is an automobile accident when the man�s vehicle (typically stopped) is rear-ended by another car or truck. As a consequence of the impact, the cervical back�s lower vertebrae of the neck are forced into a position that is hyperextended, while the upper vertebrae are bend, resulting in an unusual S shaped curve. This chain of events often damages the soft tissues (ligaments, tendons, muscles) of the neck.
Understanding Whiplash
Your doctor carefully reviews your medical history and performs a physical and neurological examination. Since xrays don�t reveal injuries to soft tissues, a CT (computerized tomography) scan or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) may be performed.
What are the Treatments for Whiplash?
Treatment depends upon degree and the severity of the whiplash, and thought is provided to general health and your age. Initial treatment may include:
Short-term rest (a day or two)
Ice, for two* or the very first day; then alternative heat and ice
Gentle range-of-motion exercises
Anti inflammatory medications (over the counter or prescription)
Muscle relaxants
*When using ice, make sure that the cold source is wrapped in a towel to protect the skin place. Don’t apply ice.
If your pain does not go away within a fair period of time, or when it is serious, your physician may recommend trigger point injections, physical therapy, chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, and/or use of a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device.
Soft collars, although once widely used for whiplash, are not used so frequently since the muscles can be weakened by immobilizing the neck to get a long time and delay healing.
Operation is seldom warranted by whiplash. If your pain persists even once you have gotten nonsurgical treatment, surgery may be recommended by your healthcare provider, depending on how severe the harm is and what constructions have been injured. It’s important to understand that risks are consistently carried by surgery. Therefore, you need to truly have a comprehensive talk with your doctor.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Neck Pain and Auto Injury
After being involved in an automobile accident, the sheer force of the impact can often cause whiplash, a common type of neck injury resulting from the sudden, back-and-forth motion of the head against the body due to a car wreck, or other incident. Because of this, many of the complex structures found within the neck, including the spine, ligaments and muscles, can be stretched beyond their normal range, causing injury and painful symptoms.
Scroll through the list of the most expensive Google search terms and you�ll find phrases like �Top personal injury lawyers� and �El Paso accident lawyer.� A recent study conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce�s Institute for Legal Reform, or ILR, found that some of these ads cost personal injury lawyers nearly $700 every time someone clicks on it.
This large cost is indicative of a growing trend that should trouble any Texan who values the integrity of our civil justice system. The increasing volume of misleading personal injury lawyer advertising is putting greed ahead of justice. Furthermore, this devious practice can clog courts with questionable lawsuits, delaying or denying justice for those with legitimate legal claims.
According to the ILR study, personal injury lawyers in the U.S. were projected to spend a total of $892 million in television advertising in 2015, up from $531 million in 2008. The vast sums invested in these largely unregulated ads prove that lining the pockets of personal injury lawyers is paramount to consumer safety and well-being.
The recent U.S. chamber study placed several Texas cities atop the national rankings of personal injury lawyer advertising. The 68 percent growth in personal injury lawyer advertising on television during the past eight years has been most evident in Houston, ranked among the top 10 U.S. television markets for trial lawyer advertising in 2015.�
As more Texans rely on the Internet and television for health information, it�s important to distinguish between helpful resources and misleading lawsuit advertising. Many ads attempt to shape consumers� decisions, steering them away from doctors and toward questionable lawsuits.
Consumers need to understand the motives behind personal injury lawyer advertising. Personal injury lawyers are acting in their own self-interest, which is often not in the best interest of patients. Texans should guard against personal injury lawyers and recruiters who make contact to enlarge their own bank accounts. It�s nothing more than �ambulance chasing.�
Consumers with questions about their medical care and health should ask their doctor, not a personal injury lawyer. Additionally, patients should be wary of any attempt by a personal injury lawyer to steer them to a specific doctor.
Misleading personal injury advertising can put people�s health at risk. However, there is a way to avoid the consequences of this greedy practice.
It appears that the idea that lawyers can influence a client’s decision on the choice of their doctor has created various topics of interest, as the contributors of TALA have become more vocal on this trend. Patients should be aware that these situations exist and have also been known to occur in El Paso, Texas.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Additional Topics: Neck Pain and Auto Injury
Neck pain is characterized as the most prevalent symptom after being involved in an automobile accident. During an auto collision, the body is exposed to a sheer amount of force due to the high speed impact, causing the head and neck to jolt abruptly back-and-forth as the rest of the body remains in place. This often results in the damage or injury of the cervical spine and its surrounding tissues, leading to neck pain and other common symptoms associated with whiplash-related disorders.
Chiropractic adjustment has various applications. From the treatment of chronic pain and pre-existing conditions to early or sudden onset pain. Perhaps most frequently cited, sufferers of back and neck pain, sciatica, migraines and more have found relief from chiropractic medicine.
In fact, many medical doctors recommend that their patients seek chiropractic care for a variety of conditions before seeking more invasive measures such as surgery. This sentiment was (echoed by the American Medical Association) as recently as 2013.
Relieving Back & Neck Pain
Roughly 80% of adults have experienced back pain at some point. (In a study by Consumer Reports), �14,000 sufferers were surveyed. None of these individuals had undergone back surgery of any type. By the end of the study, Chiropractic adjustment was rated as the #1 treatment option.
At the conclusion of the twelve-week study, patients who underwent regular chiropractic adjustments were twice as likely to be pain free as those who were treated with medication. (Further research demonstrates) the validity of chiropractic adjustments as easily seen via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Patients with lower back pain often experience limited mobility in the lumbar spine region that produces degeneration as well as adhesions within the joints of the vertebrae. When patients received an MRI scan following a chiropractic adjustment, the imaging showed an increase in spinal gapping. This breaks up the adhesions, allows the joints to move freely, and lead to a reduction in pain.
Headaches and Migraines
Chronic head pain, including migraines is another common condition that chiropractic adjustment can provide relief for. Through manipulation, chiropractic medicine is able to relieve pressure off of the nerves and provide relief. Headache and migraine sufferers may find long-term relief with continued adjustments, resulting in lessening the severity of symptoms or the frequency of onset.
There is also published research showing the validity of these treatment options. In an (Australian study that tracked 127 migraine sufferers), those who received regular chiropractic adjustments reported a decrease in migraine attacks as well as the need to take less medication.
Considering the rising costs of healthcare, specifically prescription medication, mitigating pharmaceutical costs can provide extra benefits.
Foundation for Chiropractic Progress
In Support of Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care is becoming increasingly more widespread. Support from medical research and organizations such as The American Medical Association, as well as high profile supporters such as Tiger Woods, Jerry Rice, Aaron Rodgers have helped bring the treatments into the mainstream.
Today, Chiropractic medicine is practiced all over the world, and is an increasingly popular as well as effective form of treatment for a variety of conditions, including but not limited to the ones mentioned above.
(Some more statistics)
Utilizing chiropractic adjustments for treatment of back pain may help save Medicare costs by more than $80 million per year.
Back pain sufferers whose first point of treatment included a medical doctor or surgeon, went on to receive surgery 42.7% of the time. For sufferers who sought chiropractic adjustment first, surgery only occurred 1.5% of the time.
Chronic pain sufferers who sought treatment through chiropractic adjustment experienced a 20% reduction in overall care costs.
Is Chiropractic Adjustment Right for You?
The effectiveness of chiropractic adjustment in treating chronic and recent onset conditions is supported through research, scientific study, as well as patients just like you. If you are suffering from pain or discomfort in your neck, back, joints, or elsewhere,�contact a well qualified Chiropractor near you.
About the Author:
Dr. Alec�with Proactive Chiropractic and Rehab Centre extensively studied human anatomy, physiology, radiology, kinesiology and post graduate seminars in topics such as herniated disc, whiplash, functional movement, car accident rehabilitation. With over 10 years of experience, Dr. Alec helps care for patients with back pain, neck pain, headaches, knee pain, shoulder pain, foot pain, whiplash, etc. Treatment services include: spinal decompression therapy, functional rehabilitation, active release technique, gua sha, electro-stimulation, intersegmental traction, hands-on chiropractic adjustment, instrument assisted chiropractic adjustment and rehabilitation. Dr. Alec takes pride in providing individualized treatment for each patient, with lasting results.
Some People don’t believe in Chiropractic Treatment. However, chiropractic care is becoming increasingly widespread through�medical research. And�top supporters, such as Tiger Woods, Jerry Rice, and Aaron Rodgers have helped to bring�chiropractic�treatment into the mainstream.
While automobile accidents are the most common cause of whiplash, it must be noted, that these aren�t the only possible incidents behind the well-known injury. Any type of accelerated motion which thrusts the head forward and then backwards with extreme force from the entire body can lead to whiplash. Accidents from sports can also cause whiplash-associated injuries but auto accidents are the most prevalent.
The unexpected jolt of the head can damage the complex structures of the cervical spine, leaving the tendons and ligaments within the neck intensely irritated and inflamed. Furthermore, the tendons and ligaments as well as other tissues of the neck may become overly stretched and torn.
A whiplash type injury may be suspected if the individual involved in an automobile accident experiences the following symptoms: neck pain and stiffness; worsening pain with movement; loss of range of motion in the neck; headaches, most often starting at the base of the skull; tenderness or pain in the shoulder, upper back or arms; tingling or numbness in the arms, fatigue and dizziness. Other individual�s may experience: blurred vision; ringing in the ears; sleep disturbances; irritability; difficulty concentrating; memory problems; and even depression. While these are some of the most common symptoms of whiplash, they may also suggest the presence of another type of injury or condition resulting from the automobile accident.
Thus, it�s essential to visit a qualified healthcare professional who can properly identify a whiplash injury and offer the required treatment to eliminate the resulting pain and symptoms.
Apart from assessing the doctor�s experience and qualifications, the victim of an automobile accident must primarily consider their geographical location and the type of insurance they are covered by when deciding on the type of doctor to visit following a whiplash type injury. Other factors that should influence the affected individual�s decision include whether they are represented by an attorney and whether they are living in a state where PIP, or personal injury protection, is mandatory.
Whiplash Specialists
A large number of people who�ve suffered injuries from auto accidents fail to receive the kind of medical care they require, occurring more frequently in the case of whiplash victims. It has been previously determined that the outcome of the patient�s rehabilitation depends on the type of doctor they receive care from.
Many individuals who�ve been involved in an automobile accident, regardless of the severity of the collision, will generally visit the emergency room, or ER, to have their injuries evaluated. The majority of ERs are designed to take patients out of life threatening situations. First, they immediately assess any visible injuries, such as open wounds and broken bones, treating them effectively on the spot. They may even prescribe medications to temporarily relieve the painful symptoms following a traffic collision. However, many victims are not treated for their whiplash injuries. The trained specialists from the ER, provide first-aid, X-rays and medications to remove individuals from life-threatening situations but they don�t readily treat soft-tissue injuries like whiplash. From there, patients are sent to see their primary care physician, or PCP, to assess the rest of their injuries, yet, they may still face hardships to finally receive the proper care they deserve for their injuries.
Primary Care Physicians and Whiplash
Unfortunately, many primary care physicians are not specifically qualified to treat automobile accident injuries and many of these may even deny patients treatment. For many years, whiplash-associated disorders have been misunderstood in the medical field. Many doctors believe whiplash is not a legitimate injury, however, those whom are suffering from whiplash can account for how painful it could really be.
Other doctors refuse treatment to whiplash patients because they may not accept any kind of 3rd party billing, a paying method where the doctor seeing the car accident victim has to bill the party at fault�s insurance company or utilize PIP or med pay to receive compensation.�This is a commonly well-known reason for denial of treatment as a large number of primary care physicians, or PCPs, still don�t have the required authorizations to accept 3rd party billing.
Besides primary care physicians, medical doctors, orthopedics, chiropractors and physical therapists are several types of qualified healthcare professionals that specialize on treating automobile accident injuries such as whiplash. Among these, chiropractic treatment is the most popular, alternative treatment option for treating various soft tissue injuries or conditions.
Chiropractic Care for Whiplash
A wide number of people belonging to the legal and medical industry will disregard the idea of visiting a chiropractor to treat auto injuries. However, the fact is that a chiropractors are some of the only doctors who offer therapeutic treatments to accident victims. Treatment offered by medical doctors might include the use of drugs, although in many cases, they may also recommend physical therapy. This automatically highlights the importance of chiropractic care for whiplash victims because chiropractic care and physical therapy are very similar forms of treatment.
Whenever an individual who�s been involved in an automobile accident visits a chiropractor and complains of pain in the neck, the medical specialist will carry out a series of tests to determine whether the patient has suffered whiplash. Instead of focusing solely on the specific injury, chiropractors are trained to inspect the affected individual�s entire spine. Aside from soft tissue injuries like whiplash, chiropractic doctors may also check for: disc trauma or injury, tightness or tenderness, restricted mobility, muscle spasms, joint injuries, ligament injuries, posture and spinal alignment. They may also analyze the patient�s gait.
Besides checking for the above, chiropractors might also request X-rays and MRI of the patient�s spine in order to find out whether the spine features any degenerative changes which might have developed before the accident. To offer the best possible treatment, it is extremely important to determine which problems existed prior to the accident and which ones resulted from the accident. In most cases, insurance companies may argue that every single injury in the victim�s body is preexisting. This makes the role of the chiropractor considerably important as they will make sure to document all the previous and new injuries separately to ensure the insurance company pays for the patient�s treatment. In addition, the evaluation performed by the chiropractor also allows them to create the most effective treatment plan for each individual whiplash victim.
Stages of Treatment
The primary concern for chiropractors treating individuals who�ve experienced whiplash-associated disorders involves alleviating the inflammation in the neck, one of the main sources of pain for victims. Chiropractors often recommend ice therapy, or the application of ice pack against the affected area, multiple times a day. This remedy is capable of reducing both pain and inflammation. Once the inflammation subsides, they often carry out a variety of manual therapeutic techniques to restore and increase the individual�s strength, flexibility and mobility.
The kind of chiropractic treatment the individual will require depends largely on the severity of the whiplash encountered. However, it has been previously determined that the majority of individual�s with whiplash find spinal manipulations useful. The most common chiropractic treatment techniques involve, spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, to carefully re-align the structures of the spine and help reduce symptoms. The following spinal techniques are also used to treat whiplash injuries:
Instrument-assisted, this treatment involves the use of handheld instruments to provide a gentle massage by applying force onto the spine without utilizing any kind of thrust. Instrument-assisted chiropractic therapy is used mostly to treat older patients with degenerative joints; flexion-distraction, this technique involves the use of a non-thrusting motions, best described as a slow pumping action; specific spinal manipulation, this therapy involves the use of a mild thrusting technique and is mostly used for restoring motion to the affected joints. Specific spinal manipulation helps stretch the soft tissues, which makes the job of restoring motion to the affected areas of the spine easier; instrument-assisted chiropractic therapy, also known as the Graston Technique, is used during this form of chiropractic therapy to perform repetitive strokes on the injured body part; therapeutic massage, performed to ease muscle tension and stress in the injured region; interferential electrical stimulation, where a patient undergoing this type of therapy will see the chiropractor passing electrical current at a very low frequency through their body. This low frequency current helps stimulate the muscles and reduces inflammation; trigger point therapies, as the name suggests, involves the application of direct pressure onto specific points to alleviating muscle tension; and finally ultrasound therapy, capable of decreasing stiffness, pain, and muscle spasms in the affected areas. When ultrasound is passed through the patient�s muscle tissues, it warms up the treated region and increases blood circulation.
Neck Pain and Auto Injury
Chiropractic Recovery
Ultimately, chiropractors can help victims of whiplash in many ways. These health care providers can ensure that an individual� whiplash and its associated symptoms may subside completely. They always make sure to create a patient-specific treatment plan to make the process of recovery simpler for every individual.
Other than recommending immediate treatment for reducing the acute pain and inflammation, the chiropractor might additionally recommend a series of stretches and exercises, to help speed up the rehabilitation process as well as help increase the individual�s strength, flexibility and mobility.
Whiplash injuries, when left untreated, can cause severe complications. If you or a loved one have been involved in an automobile accident, visit a chiropractor immediately. By being prompt, you can even reduce your recovery time significantly. That�s not all; the chiropractor will also provide the required assistance to your lawyer, proving that the injury resulting from the accident wasn�t a preexisting injury or condition.
When you are injured in a car accident, you must get acquainted with your rights as soon as possible to receive the proper compensation and treatment for your specific situation. There is no such thing as a simple car crash.
Certain injuries or conditions which may have developed following an automobile accident may become chronic or permanent if left untreated. If an individual is experiencing neck stiffness or headaches after a traffic collision, it�s absolutely wrong to assume that this will subside in a few days. A minor discomfort could turn out to be a more serious complication. Often, people injured in auto accidents develop scar tissue that remains with them throughout the rest of their lives and without the necessary treatments or exercises, these can become stiff and greatly limit an individual�s ability to move properly. The above issues generating from a car accident show how important it is for people to seek immediate legal and medical help. Chiropractors are known for their expertise in managing soft tissue injuries and the resulting chronic and traumatic pain; as a result, they are often considered to be the best healthcare professionals to consult after a car accident.
Car accidents are, by far, the leading cause of transportation related injuries throughout the United States and locally in the El Paso area. Most Americans are completely dependent on using cars to perform each of our daily tasks, including driving to the store, work, school, shopping, doctors, and a variety of other commonplace tasks. The inevitable consequence is that, no matter how safe a driver you are, you will likely be involved in some sort of auto accident one day. This reality becomes even more likely in a city such as El Paso, Texas, which is an important West Texas center and due to the Air Force Base within the El Paso area.
When Should You Hire an El Paso Car Accident Attorney?
Of course, not every car accident requires that you hire a car accident lawyer. Car accident lawyers only become necessary when an accident results in an injury serious enough to warrant medical attention, or one that detracts from your quality of life and daily routine. In these cases, retaining an El Paso, Texas automobile accident lawyer can help protect your legal rights and ensure that you and your family receive the advice and compensation you deserve.
You should contact an experienced El Paso auto accident attorney when your injuries are such that:
You have a severe injury that will cause you some significant lost time or wages from work; or
Where a car accident causes you to be disfigured; or
You are caused to suffer permanent pain; or
You have suffered a �loss of consortium� as a result of an automobile injury to your spouse. Please note that loss of consortium claims encompass all negative effects on the martial relationship, including loss of love, affection, support, companionship and sexual relations.
If you or a loved one has suffered a car accident or other type of injury from an El Paso auto, truck, van, or bus and any of the above factors are present, then you should retain an El Paso car accident attorney immediately.
Why Do You Need an El Paso Auto Accident Lawyer?
Every state, including Texas, requires car owners to purchase automobile accident insurance. However, car insurance companies are notorious for trying to get out of paying fair and just compensation to their customers, even when those customers have routinely made their insurance payments for years. Let�s face it, how do car insurance companies make money? Simply put: They love to take premiums and hate to pay claims.
El Paso car accident attorneys handle car accident cases, motorcycle accidents, and commercial truck accidents throughout the El Paso area and in all areas of El Paso County. Additionally, they represent drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists who have suffered an injury in an El Paso, Texas traffic accident where another driver may have been at fault. The defense lawyer will try to place fault on the injured party to reduce their award. This �fault� is called comparative fault and this is a very important reason why you need an experienced El Paso accident attorney.
El Paso Uninsured Car Wreck Lawyer
Even though it is required in Texas, that if you drive in El Paso you have insurance, people do not always have insurance. When they hit your car and injure you, that is called and uninsured motorist’s claim. If this is happens, your uninsured auto accident lawyer in El Paso will try to successfully handle your El Paso car wreck against your car insurance company. Depending on how your insurance company treats you, it may also give rise to an El Paso bad faith insurance claim.
El Paso Car Accidents Involving Driver Charged with Driving While Intoxicated
Because of the unique set of laws in Texas having to do with drunk driving accidents, please visit our Driving While Intoxicated Car Accident page for a more complete understanding.
El Paso Wrongful Death Car Accident Lawyer
Fatal accidents due happen in El Paso, Texas. When they do, your family has a claim under the Texas Wrongful Death Statute. If your family has suffered the loss of a loved one and you believe that the other party was at fault, contact an experienced El Paso fatal car accident Lawyer right away.
Other reasons to retain an El Paso, TX Auto Accident lawyer or El Paso County, TX Auto Accident lawyer include:
In Texas, the statutory minimum of liability insurance is $25,000.00;
A trained El Paso, Texas car accident attorney will get you quality medical care;
An El Paso County car accident lawyer will preserve vital evidence and immediately retain experts, called accident reconstructionists, who recreate the accident for the purposes of trial and legal settlements;
If alcohol and/or drugs played a role in the cause of the accident punitive damages may be available;
A licensed El Paso car accident attorney will make sure that:
Your automobile�s property damage is fully paid;
Your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is recovered; and
That all layers of insurance coverage, such as excess levels of coverage are placed on notice;
A persona injury attorney in El Paso will not let your statute of limitations is two (2) years from the date of the accident;
An El Paso injury trial lawyer will be completely familiar with:
The Texas Rules of Civil Procedure;
The laws governing where your lawsuit should be filed. These are called “Venue” laws.
If your El Paso car crash lawyer determines that your car injury lawsuit should be filed in one of the below El Paso County Civil Courts or El Paso County District Court, they will also have a thorough knowledge of the Texas Rules of Evidence.
If your El Paso injury litigator, chooses federal court, he or she will be completely familiar with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Federal Rules of Evidence.
For all these reasons, you should not hesitate to retain an experienced El Paso tractor trailer accident lawyer near you to help you pursue claims related to an accident in El Paso involving a commercial vehicle.
After being involved in an automobile accident, the legal and medical complications that follow can be frustrating. Dealing with the insurance companies to gain compensation for your property damages and injuries due to the incident can be a tedious task if you do not have the proper legal representation. A car accident injury attorney will fight to achieve the compensation you deserve. �When you are questioning weather to get and attorney, do contact the above legal providers. �They will clearly help you decide if your case warrants legal review.
The before mentioned article presentation was a legal snippet and not to be misunderstood as clinical advice from a Clinical provider or Chiropractor.
Clinical Provider Topics: Headache After Auto Injury
On the other side of the pictures is the clinical presentation after an accident. The facts show that after being involved in an automobile accident, the sheer force of the impact can cause damage or injury to the body, primarily to the structures surrounding the spine. Whiplash is a common result of an auto collision, affecting the bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and other tissues around it, causing symptoms such as head pain. Headaches are a common symptom after an automobile accident, which may require immediate medical attention to determine its source and follow through with treatment.
Spinal Evaluation: Every year, approximately 400 million drivers and their passengers are at a potential risk of being involved in an unfortunate automobile accident. An estimated 10 percent of these individuals will experience injuries and property damages from a car wreck every 10 years.
Fortunately, a large majority of these auto accidents only result in minimal property damages and minor injuries. However, a considerable amount of individuals who�ve suffered an affliction to their personal health and wellness may require medical involvement to determine if they�ve experienced underlying injuries or developed any possible conditions as a result of the auto collision. In fact, anyone who has been in a moderate or high velocity automobile accident should be evaluated by a spine specialist, such as a chiropractor or even an orthopedic surgeon.
Spinal Injuries from Auto Collisions
Almost half of all spinal injuries occur due to an auto accident. High speed automobile collisions can have devastating consequences on the overall health of the spine and its surrounding structures. If the spinal cord becomes damaged, it can cause irreparable damage, even paralysis. Spinal vertebrae displacement or fractures can cause impingement or compression against the spinal cord, which may lead to focal weakness or numbness. Spinal cord contusions from a vertebral bone dislocation or fragment may cause injury to the delicate blood vessels surrounding the spine, often resulting in permanent disability.
Direct trauma to the spine caused after an individual is involved in an auto accident can result in long-term disability or paralysis if not managed effectively. If you have been in a major car accident, receiving a spinal evaluation is urgently important. While most common symptoms, including neck and back pain, can take up to 24 hours, even days and weeks to manifest, if no noticeable symptoms develop, it�s still important to seek an immediate evaluation from a qualified healthcare professional who specializes in spine care.
How Minor Accidents Can Cause Spinal Injury
Symptoms from trauma during a car wreck may not show up for hours, even days after the accident. For instance, a concussion can develop symptoms as many as 24 to 48 hours after the initial incident. Whiplash functions in the same manner. Even if you do not feel symptoms immediately after a car accident, symptoms of whiplash may eventually develop several hours to various days after the motor vehicle accident, commonly characterized by neck pain and headaches.
Whiplash is caused by a sudden, back-and-forth jerk of the head, in any direction, often caused by rear end or front end collisions. Unfortunately, half of all people who experience whiplash may have neck pain symptoms for at least one year after the accident, if not treated immediately or accordingly by a healthcare professional.
If you have symptoms such as neck pain, muscle tightness, muscle spasms, headaches focused in the back area of the head, or any difficulty moving your neck or turning your head, you may have suffered whiplash syndrome. It is fundamental to have an evaluation by a spine specialist, often referred to as a car accident doctor, a physician who is experienced in evaluating car accident injuries. Be sure to seek care from a locally experienced and qualified spine specialist, such as Dr. Dean Smith, orthopedic surgeon, to achieve the best possible care for your automobile injuries.
Dr. Dean Smith is a highly regarded, local, orthopedic surgeon who performs minimally invasive spinal surgeries for those whose option for recovery lies in this procedure. Minimally invasive spinal surgeries use a very small incision which reduces damage to surrounding tissues and muscles as compared to traditional surgical techniques. Additionally, this type of procedure can reduce pain and recovery time after the surgery. It’s important to seek the proper care for your specific needs.
Minimally Invasive Spine Seminar
Spine Surgeons for Car Accident Injury
Spine surgery is not always needed after an accident, chiropractic care and physical therapy can effectively help restore an individual�s spinal health after experiencing injury or aggravating a previous condition, however, until you are evaluated by a spine specialist, one can often not be certain. Correspondingly, not every healthcare professional has the necessary experience and qualifications to properly diagnose and treat the injuries or conditions associated with motor vehicle accidents, such as whiplash or more serious spine damages.
When seeking the most appropriate spine care after suffering an automobile accident, it�s essential to find a provider who�s had years of practice evaluating and treating those who�ve been harmed in a traffic collision. While only a small number of these patients may eventually need the services of a spinal surgeon, seeking the knowledge of the right orthopedic surgeon who can provide a comprehensive spinal evaluation to formulate an appropriate treatment plan can help provide the individual with the proper peace of mind they deserve.
Early Intervention After an Auto Injury
Being involved in an automobile accident can result in property damages and injuries, such as whiplash, which can challenge an individual’s lifestyle. Although symptoms may not immediately develop, it’s fundamental for people to receive a spinal evaluation after a traffic collision to determine the presence of any possible health complications and follow through with the proper treatment.
For more information, please feel free to contact us at�915-850-0900�.�
Whiplash is the common result of a traffic collision. While the symptoms for this type of injury usually ease on their own without the need of specific treatment, it is suggested to manage the natural mobility of the neck and seek medical attention immediately. In many instances, people will turn to the use of painkillers to ease the pain but these only disguise the problem temporarily as they don�t directly treat the issue.
Whiplash-associated injuries are the result of a sudden, back-and-forth motion of the head as a result of an extreme force acting against the body. Because of the force from the impact of a car crash, the muscles, ligaments and other complex tissues found within the neck can stretch, or sprain, beyond the normal range, occasionally causing tears.
Symptoms of Whiplash
Since the symptoms of whiplash often manifest immediately after the auto accident, for some individuals, these can take up to several days, weeks, even months to develop. The common symptoms for whiplash include: pain and discomfort along with stiffness in the neck, usually worsening with each day, pain and stiffness may also be felt in the shoulders, down the arms, and in the upper and/or lower area of the back; turning or bending the neck may be difficult and painful; headaches; dizziness, blurred vision, pain in the jaw or pain when swallowing and abnormal sensations along the skin of the face; and finally, some individuals may experience fatigue and can have irritability and difficulty concentrating.
The appearance of any of these symptoms could indicate the presence of a whiplash-associated injury. It�s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible to receive a proper diagnosis and determine the true cause of the symptoms. If any of the above mentioned symptoms persist, be sure to tell a doctor immediately.
Who Can Get Whiplash?
Neck sprains, or whiplash, are actually significantly common. Many individuals who experience an undesired and unexpected automobile accident develop symptoms of neck pain with or without other injuries. It�s been previously concluded that women tend to be more prone than men to suffer from whiplash-associated injuries as the structures of their body can be relatively different.
After being involved in a minor auto collision where the vehicle only experienced minimal damage, many people are often surprised to still have developed symptoms of whiplash. Including slow vehicle bumps may cause a sufficient enough jerking motion of the neck to cause symptoms.
Although more uncommon, a whiplash-associated injury can also occur as a result of a sports injury or from strenuous physical activity. Some people have also reported injury from an everyday activity where the neck is suddenly jerked after a trip or fall.
Diagnosing Whiplash
A healthcare specialist who focuses and emphasizes in auto accident injuries is most qualified to diagnosing the presence of whiplash from the description of the incident, the symptoms the individual may be experiencing and through a careful evaluation. Because whiplash is a soft-tissue injury, many doctors may be unable to make a clear diagnosis, however, some healthcare specialists are specifically trained to identify whiplash. A careful examination of the structures of the neck, back, shoulders and arms can help determine if there�s been damage or injury to the spine or to the spinal cord or spinal nerves. Further tests may be recommended.
Treatments for Neck Sprains
First of all, the individual must continue to stay active and appropriately stretch and/or exercise their neck. The goal is to keep moving the neck as normally as possible. Initially, the symptoms may be painful and the individual may require some time to rest their neck. Nonetheless, gently exercising the neck as soon as the individual is able to can help. It�s important to now allow the structures of the neck to stiffen up and become tight.
The individual can also gradually increase the range of motion in their neck. Every few hours, gentle movements of the neck in each direction, several times a day can help avoid stiffness in the muscles and other tissues of the neck. Continuing with normal activities is crucial at this point, natural movements of the neck will not cause further damage.
Practicing healthy postural habits can also be beneficial to ease the symptoms of whiplash. While at work or during any other situation of prolonged sitting, the individual should check the posture they are sitting in. Make sure you are sitting upright, not with your head flexed forward along with a stooped back. Several stretches and exercises, such as yoga and pilates, have been used to improve neck posture, however, there is not enough evidence to support the benefits of these techniques when improving posture. In addition, a firm supporting pillow can also help ease the symptoms when sleeping. The individual should avoid using more than one pillow at this time, to avoid further injury.
Chiropractic treatment is a common form of alternative treatment that is frequently used to treat whiplash and many other types of injuries and conditions. Chiropractic care focuses on musculoskeletal injuries and condition, particularly soft-tissue injuries like whiplash, including nervous system dysfunctions. A chiropractor often utilizes gentle spinal adjustments and manual manipulations to carefully restore the natural alignment of the spine and its surrounding structures in the case a subluxation is present. By doing so, these gentle treatments can relieve the stress and pressure being placed against the tissues around the spine, ultimately reducing the painful symptoms. Additionally, the chiropractic adjustments a chiropractor performs can help strengthen the muscles and other tissues of the affected area, helping to restore the original flexibility and mobility of the structures of the body.
A chiropractor may additionally recommend a series of stretches and/or exercises to help speed up the rehabilitation process and improve the individual�s condition through muscle strength, flexibility and mobility. As with any other type of treatment for an injury or condition, time and patience are required to ensure a proper recovery. Depending on the severity of the individual�s whiplash, the recovery process can differ for each person.
Preventing Whiplash with Head Restraints
Vehicles today are being built to minimize the impact from the force of a collision against the body, particularly in the region of the neck and back. All vehicles include head restraints on the vehicle seats which can further help avoid whiplash and other types of neck injuries or conditions. �The head restraint should be placed as high as the top of the head. A properly adjusted head restraint can help reduce the chance of experiencing a serious whiplash injury or other type of neck damage as this can help stop or reduce the head from jolting backwards in an automobile accident. Safety is important and although an auto collision can be an unwanted incident, preventing harm through a few simple methods can make a tremendous difference.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
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